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Do you need a general contractor license in Texas?

What our research found about general contractor licensing in Texas, and what to check with the city or county where you work.

Full rule details
Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

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Short answer

Texas does not issue a state general contractor license.

What our research found

Texas has no statewide general contractor or home improvement license. The state builder registration run by the Texas Residential Construction Commission ended when that agency was abolished on September 1, 2009. Licensing or registration, where required, is set by each city. HVAC, electrical and plumbing work is state-licensed as listed above.

What to check locally

  1. Call the building or permit office of the city or county where the job is. Ask whether it needs a local general contractor license or a contractor registration before you pull a permit.
  2. Ask what keeps that local license current: the renewal date, the fee, any bond or insurance certificate, and any continuing education.
  3. Check each city or county you work in on its own. Each one sets its own rules, fees and renewal dates.
  4. Read the notes above for anything the state still requires, such as a business registration, a tax license or a license for related trade work.
Track local licenses, bonds and insurance dates

General Contractor - no state license

none · No license required

Remind me before this expires

No official link on file. Check with the board.

We did not find online renewal for this license, so the link may open the board site.

Renewal cycle
Not published, check with the board
Deadline rule
Not published, check with the board
Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance
Grace period
Not published, check with the board

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee
Check the official site for the fee.
Late fee
Check the official site for the fee.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond
Not required
Insurance
Not required
Reciprocity
Not published, check with the board
Notes

Texas has no statewide general contractor or home improvement license. The state builder registration run by the Texas Residential Construction Commission ended when that agency was abolished on September 1, 2009. Licensing or registration, where required, is set by each city. HVAC, electrical and plumbing work is state-licensed as listed above.

Confidence: MediumMostly confirmed from official pages, some details are older or partly confirmedLast checked Oct 17, 2026
Sources (2)

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Texas General contractor licensing questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Do you need a state general contractor license in Texas?

No. Texas does not issue a state general contractor license. Texas has no statewide general contractor or home improvement license. The state builder registration run by the Texas Residential Construction Commission ended when that agency was abolished on September 1, 2009. Licensing or registration, where required, is set by each city. HVAC, electrical and plumbing work is state-licensed as listed above. Check with the city or county where the job is before you start work.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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